Q&A

Mtb pedals on a bike racing, pro and against

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Parent Category: Q&A

Category: Q&A Technique

Published on Wednesday, 18 February 2009 09:35

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Dear Editor,

I would like to have a council, have a bike that has always used the mountain bike. Now I want to support the racing bike. For the pedals I was undecided whether to put the mountain bike, to make the accessories and shoes that I have and avoid another expensive purchase. What do you recommend? What are the pro/against of the two solutions?

Dear reader, you will not the first rider to use pedals and mtb shoes on a racing bike, despite the dismay that this solution raises some "experts" who obviously do not have to compare with their family budget. Differences between the two solutions, mtb pedals/shoes vs. road pedals/shoes, lie in the total weight, the rigidity of the shoe's sole and the base. The differences are dictated by different disciple and consequent ease of use, leading engineers to favour some over others, see it in detail. The weight is usually reduced in road pedals, the same range, the fact remains that there are some models mtb (the most extreme) that have weights comparable to the pedals by road. The difference in weight is due to the fact that in mtb, because the most extreme and onerous, one prefer larger, to withstand the load of work. The pedals from the road, however, are subject to less stress, so you can get superior rigidity, while in the face of lower weights. The main difference, however, is the base of support wider pedals in the road that allows a better transmission of power to crank and less fatigue of foot over long distances. Even shoes have the same differences, for the same range a mtb shoe has more weight because of different soles, in addition, often, mtb shoes have a lower stiffness of the sole to facilitate walking. Now and then the technical aspects rather on the racing bike components but rigid and light in this one shoe and a pedal to dedicate these are better, because lighter and more rigid. In practice you will be able to transfer more power to crank and the base of broad support of the pedal will increase the comfort over long distances. That this is also true that the deepest differences are not better and is a good pedal to be on good mtb shoes and pedals that poor road shoes and pedals. In addition to experience the differences in stiffness of the athletes must be powerful enough and the difference in weight between the two solutions is not very relevant in the context of a bike that comes close to bike racing. The Board, therefore, to adopt its present set by mtb on his new road bike and just go in the future if you feel the need (not necessarily occur), with a good technical equipment of shoes and pedals dedicated to road. I close by recalling that the solution of the mtb shoes and pedals on a bike road is universally adopted by foreign cyclists, which, being more practical and less attentive to the Italian mode, you will appreciate the convenience of being able to walk freely and safely when dropped from bike.